There are 60 volunteers who work at intervals overnight (7.00
pm to 6.00 am) to provide night time transportation of blood, blood products
and other urgent medical items for the National Health Service (NHS) hospitals
around Sussex.

Without this willing group of night time riders the NHS would
have to use ambulances, or pay taxis to transport these urgently needed items.

This amazing service has just been awarded The Queen’s Award
for Voluntary Service – the highest award that can be made to a voluntary group.

In 2016 SERV Sussex responded to 1,147 individual requests for
assistance from NHS Trusts or the UK Association for Milk Banks (premature and
sick baby services).

Tube map of the London Underground - Tooting is ringed
Sussex lies approximately due south

Blood and blood products usually originate in Tooting, south
London … but transfers are made to London and between Sussex Hospital Trusts.

A second service is provided as SERV has recently expanded
to transporting human milk; now providing daily support to milk banks in London
and Brighton.

Sussex SERV's logo

They will collect milk from donors in Sussex, Surrey and
London at pre-arranged times, then deliver to one of the milk banks.

They will also deliver treated milk to mothers in their homes
if donor milk is required and they are unable to make it to the hospital to
collect their supplies.

Donated breast milk helps babies who are ill to get the best
start in life… it contains all the nutrients (at least 400) that a baby needs
and contains the hormones and disease-fighting compounds which are not found in
formula milk.

These volunteers who cover the 365 nights in a year … leave
the hospitals free to focus their resources on patient care and eliminate
costly transport bills.

The volunteers give their time for free, together with use of
their beloved bikes, they put the fuel in and maintain their vehicles from
their own pockets.

A wonderful service recognised by The Queen’s Award for
Voluntary Service … so well deserved – many of us will be thankful, while the
volunteers gain from giving back to society, to helping families at times of
dire trouble …

Today and all days we give thanks to those who will look after
us in times of need … while I am sure the Service for Emergency Rider
Volunteers in Sussex has been working overtime to help those with great need in
London.

84 comments:

What a brilliant initiative.And they have (finally) succeeded in countering the purportedly Hell's Angel saying 'Wnen we do good no-one remembers, when we do bad no-one forgets'. Bikers have often been tarred with that brush.

@ EC – I hadn’t heard about them til I saw a news item and thought that’s perfect for the WATWB … bikers are so often tarnished with a not so good brush … but here they excel – thankfully for so many …

@ Damyanti – thanks and yes don’t these guys, and I’m sure girls, deserve their award … wonderful work for people in need.

@ Susan – yes you’re right about ‘serv’ being in Deserved and serving too … I’m not sure how it came about … but established it is …

@ Mike – nor did I know about this service til I saw the news item on their award … so many volunteers don’t shout out their good deeds … it just seemed so right for this blogfest shout out. I’m sure many voluntary organisations start up through sheer hard work, a need, a passion and then start fund raising to develop their goals out into the community …

@ Alex – it is giving isn’t it – and as you say they go beyond just volunteering …

@ Steve - I agree hats off to all who serve, volunteer in any form … having read about these blood runners – I just wanted to give a thumbs up …

@ Kim – so delighted you find my posts inspirational and positive … it’s always good to know that they are appreciated … these volunteers are wonderful in their work …

@ Deborah – it is an amazing group isn’t it – doing such important work, enjoying using their machines and as they help they are volunteering to the highest degree …

@ Elsie – yes they are selfless and will always go above and beyond to help others … and it’s great they’ve been recognised …

@ Joanna – yes it’s a good group of volunteers to get the right medical products in the right place across the 7 nights of each week and those 52 weeks of the year …

@ Jacqui – nor had I – til I read about them and thought this is perfect for a WATWB post … it is great volunteer work …

@ Lynn – it is amazing isn’t it – they are much needed and I’m sure appreciated by those who receive … we are a lucky community …

@ Suzanne – exactly such worthy recipients of the Queen’s Award – we should all celebrate the emergency services – they’ve been doing lots down here along the coast …

Thanks so much to you all for visiting and thus learning about these wonderful Sussex Volunteer Blood Runners – they’ll appreciate knowing that their work has been noted across the world … cheers Hilary

Hilary I have never heard of this and thanks for sharing. To say I am impressed is an understatement. It is wonderful to know that there are so many caring people out here, they need a medal. I am really touched. Long may this continue. Cheers Diane

What a wonderful project and group of bikers! Thanks for letting us know about them, Hilary. It is always a day brightener to read about the generosity of strangers helping strangers.. It is so nice that they have received recognition from the Queen, too.

wow! this is so fantastic. the NHS is so lucky to have these dedicated and caring bikers. and..they do it for free. how cool is that. there's some really neat videos on you tube about the bikers. just type in NHS blood bikers. and i just read a great article about then at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/14/blood-bikers-how-volunteer-motorcyclists-are-saving-lives

thanks for sharing about this great group of cyclists. for sure they provide a life saving service.

@ Diane – it shows we know little of what happens until a need arises, or in this case I find out via the announcement that they’d been awarded the Queen’s Award … I’m sure it will be an ongoing service …

@ Anabel – exactly … a wonderful range of people helping others …

@ Susan – yes I know … but they do make a really nasty noise as they whizz by in lines! Equally they are all people and I’m sure many do volunteer work – as here … they just enjoy their bikes …

@ Rhonda - it was fascinating to find out about and to see how they work etc …

@ Rosey – it’s good isn’t it … that these volunteers have been acknowledged for their services to helping others …

@ Janie – they are certainly providing a great service

@ Julie – I know some tales really do tug our heart strings – and this was one story I was more than happy to share …

@ Emily – thanks so much … a hidden service – as you say it brightens up our lives to know there are others helping people in urgent need … while the Queen’s Award shows that their work is valued …

@ Liz – it is a great service isn’t it … I’m sure you have groups like this in the States …

@ Arlene – I agree it is easy and fulfilling to volunteer – as you say it enhances life …

@ Lenny – thanks so much … I see you’ve done some research for us – I read the article … it elaborates the story of blood runners out across the country … while we can see YouTube clips of them working too … I’m so pleased they interested you and you wanted to know more …

Thanks everyone – so good to see you … and now I know a great deal more about these amazing volunteers – cheers and have happy weekends - Hilary

What a wonderful idea! Thank you so much, Hilary, for sharing this with your followers. This group of volunteers certainly deserves the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. I think sharing breast milk with sick babies is inspirational. All the best to you, my dear.

@ Debby – it’s been fascinating to find out about this service and it’s wonderful to know of so many unsung heroes …

@ Kay – delighted to see you here and thanks for the visit … the service is so needed and to know it is being done is wonderful …

@ Victoria – I was delighted to read about them and learn a bit more about their services … the breast milk for sick children is just such a great addition …

@ Jo – thanks … it is a wonderful service that these riders offer and who are ready when needed …

@ Philip – yes it’s ‘funny’ what we find out about and the people who are helping and yes, bravo, to them …

@ Ian – it surprised me … and I was pleased to find out …

@ Belinda – exactly it’s only when something terrible happens that our understanding of how ‘essential unexpected services’ work … they are usually unsung heroes …

@ Paula – It’s reassuring to know that the policed helped out in emergency situations … I’m sure they’ll be doing it for breast milk in the States … it is a great idea …

@ ACIL – … and I’m sure there are other groups we won’t have heard of, until we need their services …

@ PJ – it is a fantastic service – and reading the link Lenny put up for us … they comply (and must) with the traffic regulations – they can’t use the blue lights that the ambulance and police can to rush through traffic and lights …

@ Joanne – it is an impressive service … and as you mention … team work, offering resources and help to others …

Thanks so much – good to see you … it’s been interesting finding out more about these blood runners and how they operate … cheers Hilary

I had never heard of either of these groups. It's both humbling and inspiring to know there are folks out there doing so much good.Thanks for sharing, Hilary. Kudos to you for getting the word out about them.

Selflessness and community. Those two words define our only hope for the future. Not that of greed, ego and dog eat dog competiveness exemplified in America the days by our so called leader who exemplifies the moral rot found here today in far too many of us....Thanks for sharing this inspiring example of something better...:)

@ Keith - you're right ... they do go about their work almost invisibly and these kind of services we rarely give a thought to ...

@ Lee - they are certainly offering a lot to the community and families at times of dire need ... and here the recognition has been given - long may it continue ...

@ Beste - it is heartening that there are people who will give of their time to help others ...

@ Sandra - many thanks for the wishes ... today I hope to have a similar one ...

@ TB - I agree ... selflessness and community are so much needed by so many in these times of challenges we are all facing. We really need people who care and can help ... and leaders who can lead, inspiring us all in the process to do better for the greater need ...

Thanks- so much for commenting ... they deserve their Award for Voluntary service - cheers Hilary

@ Bish - it is indeed a wonderful service - I'm not sure how the service is run in the States ... I'm sure there are volunteers though ...

@ Diedre - I heard about them because of their Award which was noted in the local news ... I'm just glad I did ... as it's fascinating to know the service is there ...

@ Gary - I agree ... lots of respect for them ... incorporating their passion with an essential need. I was glad to give them some extra awareness. Sounds like today is going to be even hotter ... so I shall stay by the seaside!

@ Tyrean - I'm sure there must be something similar in the States ... but your country is so much larger than ours ...

Thanks so much for the visit and for noting these amazing blood couriers ... we are very lucky - that they serve us well ... cheers Hilary

What a wonderful and admirable way to serve others! Thank you for sharing this, Hilary. These volunteers are inspiring. Hopefully their actions will inspire others around the world as well. They've inspired me. :) Have a great weekend!

@ Curtis - we do indeed get a wonderful mix of WATWB posts and thus stories of inspirational things happening in all parts of the world ... and yes 'get on yer bike' does take on a whole new meaning doesn't it.

The idea of these "We are the World Blogfest" post has been a great idea - I'm so glad so many of us have joined in ...

@ Ronel - they're keeping to the speed limits - so cannot race, just go as fast as possible ... but giving us an essential service. It is brilliant isn't it ...

@ Michael - they are paying it forward aren't they - but they do deserve the honour. I'm glad I've highlighted these blood couriers - so thank you - they'll be pleased and as you say showing us that good things happen too ... with a service to help others ...

@ Simon - I'm sure there'll be people in the background waiting to join in and help ... we don't seem to find out about these sort of services until we have a need - or as here via the blogfest ...

@ Pat - yes there certainly are some wonderful people, who will always step up to the plate ...

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About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key! Now moved to Vancouver Island, Canada for 'a while' - not forever ...